Pioneer was started as an improvement on Sapper, hence the similar military name. During the naming ceremony in 1992, we were joined by the military as an acknowledgement to its military connection.
It was built with outside frames and rear pony truck to aid stability. The boiler is of similar dimensions to Sapper’s but with a larger fire-hole door and pressured to 120 lbs/in².
Over the years, Pioneer has had a number of improvements made. Initially fitted with Baker valve gear, the unreliability of this valve gear meant that it was eventually replaced with Walschaerts gear in 2014.
Pioneer originally carried a livery that was loosely based around L.N.E.R Garter Blue similar to the livery originally carried by Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway No.8 Hurricane. Following an overhaul, it was decided to re-paint Pioneer in a darker blue livery, this time similar to Great Eastern Blue.
More recently, Pioneer has also received polished valve gear.
